§ 167.20. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

Batch elimination means a simultaneous defeat of multiple continuing candidates for whom it is mathematically impossible to be elected.

Chief election official means the city clerk and includes the city clerk's designee(s).

Continuing candidate means a candidate who has been neither elected nor defeated.

Declared write-in candidate(s) means a candidate(s) who has filed a written request in accordance with section 167.45.

Exhausted ballot means a ballot that cannot be advanced under section 167.60(c)(2) or section 167.70(c)(2).

Highest continuing ranking means the ranking on a voter's ballot with the lowest numerical value for a continuing candidate.

Mathematically eliminated by the next higher current vote total comparison means either:

(1)

The candidate could never win because his or her current vote total plus all votes that could possibly be transferred to him or her in future rounds (from candidates with fewer votes, tied candidates, surplus votes, and from undeclared write-in candidates) would not be enough to equal or surpass the candidate with the next higher current vote total; or

(2)

The candidate has a lower current vote total than a candidate who is described by (1).

Mathematically eliminated by the sum of all ranked-choice votes comparison means:

(1)

For single-seat elections: The candidate could never win because the sum of all ranked-choice votes for that candidate is less than the highest current vote total.

(2)

For multiple-seat elections: The candidate could never win because the sum of all ranked-choice votes for that candidate would not be enough to equal or surpass the current vote total(s) of any of the top "x" continuing candidate(s) with the highest current vote total(s), where "x" equals the number of seats yet to be filled for the office.

Mathematically impossible to be elected means:

(1)

Mathematically eliminated by the next higher current vote total comparison.

(2)

Mathematically eliminated by the sum of all ranked-choice votes comparison.

Maximum possible threshold means the number of votes sufficient for a candidate to be elected under a first ranked choice tabulation under sections 167.60(b) and 167.70(b). In any given election, the maximum possible threshold equals the total ballots cast that include votes, undervotes, skipped rankings, and overvotes for the office, divided by the sum of one (1) plus the number of offices to be filled, then adding one (1), disregarding any fractions. Maximum Possible Threshold = ((Total ballots cast that include votes, undervotes, skipped rankings, and overvotes for the office)/(Seats to be elected + 1)) + 1, with any fractions disregarded.

An overvote occurs when a voter ranks more than one (1) candidate at the same ranking.

Partially defective ballot means a ballot that is defective to the extent that the election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent with respect to the office being counted.

Ranked-choice voting means an election method in which voters rank candidates for an office in order of their preference and the ballots are counted in rounds and votes, or fractions thereof, are distributed to candidates according to the preferences marked on each ballot as described in sections 167.60 and 167.70 of this chapter.

Ranked-choice voting tabulation center means one (1) or more locations selected by the chief election official for the tabulation of votes.

Ranking means the number assigned by a voter to a candidate to express the voter's preference for that candidate. Ranking number one (1) is the highest ranking. A ranking of lower numerical value indicates a greater preference for a candidate than a ranking of higher numerical value.

Repeat candidate ranking occurs when a voter ranks the same candidate at multiple rankings for the office being counted.

Round means an instance of the sequence of voting tabulation steps established in sections 167.60 and 167.70 of this chapter.

Skipped ranking occurs when a voter leaves a ranking blank and ranks a candidate at a subsequent ranking.

Sum of all ranked-choice votes means the sum of all votes for a candidate at every ranking for an office, including all repeat candidate rankings.

Surplus means the total number of votes cast for an elected candidate in excess of the threshold.

Surplus fraction of a vote means the proportion of each vote to be transferred when a surplus is transferred. The surplus fraction is calculated by dividing the surplus by the total votes cast for the elected candidate, calculated to four (4) decimal places, ignoring any remainder. Surplus fraction of a vote = (Surplus of an elected candidate)/(Total votes cast for elected candidate), calculated to four (4) decimal places, ignoring any remainder.

Threshold means the number of votes sufficient for a candidate to be elected. In any given election, the threshold equals the total votes counted in the first round after removing partially defective ballots, divided by the sum of one (1) plus the number of offices to be filled, then adding one (1), disregarding any fractions. Threshold = ((Total votes cast)/(Seats to be elected + 1)) + 1, with any fractions disregarded.

Transfer value means the fraction of a vote that a transferred ballot will contribute to the next ranked continuing candidate on that ballot. The transfer value of a vote cast for an elected candidate is calculated by multiplying the surplus fraction by its current value, calculated to four (4) decimal places, ignoring any remainder. The transfer value of a vote cast for a defeated candidate is the same as its current value.

Transferable vote means a vote or a fraction of a vote for a candidate who has been either elected or defeated.

Totally defective ballot means a ballot that is defective to the extent that the election judges are unable to determine the voter's intent for any office on the ballot.

Undeclared write-in candidate means a write-in candidate who is not a declared write-in candidate.

An undervote occurs when a voter does not rank any candidates for an office. (2008-Or-028, § 1, 4-18-08; 2009-Or-102, § 1, 10-2-09; 2013-Or-055, § 1, 5-24-13; 2015-Or-065 , § 1, 7-24-15)